PEG-5 Isononanoate ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is a nonionic emulsifier and solubilizer that helps disperse oils, fragrance components, and emollients into water-based formulas. It can also add mild emollience and improve rinse-off feel in cleansers.
What does PEG-5 Isononanoate do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is a nonionic emulsifier and solubilizer that helps disperse oils, fragrance components, and emollients into water-based formulas. It can also add mild emollience and improve rinse-off feel in cleansers.
Is PEG-5 Isononanoate clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, it has friction because it is ethoxylated, a process associated with residual ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane controls. Many stricter retailer and certification lists flag or limit this class, even though well-purified grades are typically low-irritation.
Is PEG-5 Isononanoate sustainable?
It is generally made from petrochemical-derived polyether chemistry combined with a branched fatty acid feedstock that may be synthetic or mixed-origin. Its biodegradability is less straightforward than simple fatty esters, and the ethoxylated chain lowers its Green Chemistry profile.
Is PEG-5 Isononanoate COSMOS-approved?
It is not permitted under COSMOS-natural or COSMOS-organic because ethoxylated materials are outside the standard. Green Chemistry alignment is limited by petrochemical input, ethoxylation, and the need for tight residual-solvent and byproduct controls.
How does PEG-5 Isononanoate work chemically?
The molecule is a nonionic ester with a branched C9 acyl group attached to a short polyether segment averaging about five ethoxy units, giving it intermediate oil-water compatibility. It is typically used at low single-digit percentages as a solubilizer or co-emulsifier, is stable across common cosmetic pH ranges, and can hydrolyze under strongly acidic or alkaline conditions.
Last updated 2026-05-15